Fuse cartridge



March 25, 19410 H. w. BODENDlECK FUSE CARTRIDGE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 27, 1957 March 25, H w BQDENDIEQK 2,236,284

FUSE CARTRIDGE Filed May 27, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 25, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FUSE CARTRIDGE of Missouri Application May 27, 1937, Serial No. 145,134

19 Claims.

This invention relates to a fuse cartridge, and it is primarily an object of the invention to provide a cartridge of this kind with means to throw out the pigtail of a fuse immediately upon blowing of the fuse and thereby eliminating liability of short circuiting as well as arcing within the tube of the cartridge.

The invention also has for an object to provide a fuse cartridge embodying means whereby a line or conductor with which said cartridge is associated is permitted to entirely free itself from the cartridge upon blowing of the fuse.

The invention also has for an object to provide a device of this kind having means operating automatically upon blowing or breaking of the fuse to instantaneously pull one away from the other the separated portions of the fuse in a manner to prevent arcing, sparking and the like.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved fuse cartridge whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of a fuse cartridge constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention shown suspended from a conductor;

Figure 2 is a view in elevation illustrating the fuse cartridge suspended from a cross arm;

Figure 3 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of the lower portion of the cartridge as illustrated in either Figures 1 or 2, the second position of certain of the parts being indicated by broken lines;

Figure 4 is an elevational view of the lower portion of the cartridge as illustrated in Figure 1 with the releasable conductor terminal omitted;

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 68 of Figure 2.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, I denotes a tube of desired dimensions and produced of an insulating material. The upper end portion of the tube I has rigidly secured thereto a sleeve 2 which extends a desired distance above the adjacent end of the tube I. This tube I is formed therealong with the outstanding and radially disposed rib or flange 3 from the central portion of which extends a threaded shank 4. This shank-4, as illustrated in Figure 1, h'as suitably mounted thereon a clamp C to be engaged with a line or conductor L preferably of high tension.

As illustrated, in Figure 1, the fuse cartridge is of a line tapping type although, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 6, this shank 4 may be operatively engaged, as at 5, with an insulator 6 carried by a cross arm I or other support. When the cartridge is employed independently of the clamp C the terminal connector 8 carried by the sleeve 2 is used in the desired electrical hookup.

The sleeve 2 at a desired point intermediate its ends is intersected by a plate 9 having a central opening II through which is inserted from above a conventional type of fuse I2. This fuse I2 in its outer or upper end carries a button I4 for holding coaction with the plate 9 although it is preferred that a washer I5 be interposed between the head I4 of the applied fuse I2 and the plate 9. After the fuse has been placed in position the holding or retaining plug I6 is threaded within the portion of the sleeve 2 outwardly of the plate 9.

Suitably fixed to the fuse I2 is a conventional pigtail ll of desired length. This pigtail extends out through the lower end of the tube I and is carried through a split eye member I8 at the outer end of a throw-out arm I9. This arm I9 is of desired length and extends from a plate 20 which is disposed to one side of the arm I9. This plate 28 extends within a kerf 2| formed in the outer end portion of a tubular arm 22. This arm 22 is formed with a sleeve 24 surrounding and rigidly secured to the lower end portion of the tube I. This arm 22 is preferably disposed on an outward incline with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tube I to bring the outer end of the arm 22 beyond the adjacent lower end of the tube I. This plate 26 also extends up between the webs 25 extending up from the arm 22 and defining the edges of the kerf 2|. This plate 20 has freely disposed therethrough a pin 29 secured to and bridging the space between the webs 25 whereby the plate 20 together with the arm I9 are supported for swinging movement.

The extent of downward swinging movement of the arm I9 is limited by contact of the suitably positioned stop shoulder 26 provided on the periphery of the plate 29 with the outer end of the septum 2I interposed between and connecting the outer marginal portions of the webs 25. The arm I9, however, can be swung upwardly toward and in close proximity to the lower end of the tube I and held in such position by the pigtail H which, as hereinbefore stated, is disposed through the split eye member I8. This pigtail I'I maintains this arm I9 in its raised position by the connection of the tail piece with one of the webs 25. When thefuse cartridge is properly set a pigtail I1 is looped around an outstanding lug 28 carried by a web 25 and a shank 29 threading through both of the webs 25. This shank 29, however, carries a clamping head 30 for engagement with the loop a of the pigtail I1 for effectively holding the outer end portion of the pigtail I1 after, of course, it has been placed under proper tension to withstand the action of the throw-out spring 3|. As herein disclosed this spring 3! is of a coil type and is positioned within the base portion of the tubular arm 22 and has its outer end contacting with a ball 32 of a size to freely move inwardly and outwardly of the arm 22. The spring 3| normally maintains the ball 32 in contact with an arcuate peripheral portion 33 of the plate 20 and below the pivotal mounting 29 so that instantly upon blowing or breaking of the fuse l2 the arm I9 will be thrown downwardly and outwardly to the limit of its movement as afforded by the stop shoulder 26. During this movement the separated portion of the pigtail I1 will be drawn out from the tube I and thereby eliminating liability of arcing, sparking and the like within the tube l It is believed to be understood that the sleeve 23, the arm 22 together with the other parts associated therewith are of materials conductive of electricity and as herein illustrated, the sleeve 24 carries a conductor terminal 34 through which the desired electrical connection may be had.

The arm 22 at opposite sides of the kerf 2| has depending therefrom the spaced plates 35 between which the arm I9 freely passes, and said plates 35 are eachformed to provide a holding jaw 38. The jaw 36 of one plate 35 is similar to the jaw of the second plate and are in transversealignment. The outer portion of the plate 28 is provided with a holding jaw 31 for coaction with the jaws 36 and which jaws 36 and 31 when the arm I9 is in its raised position are adapted to effectively hold a releasable conductor terminal 38. This terminal 38 in one end portion is formed to provide a barrel 39 which is directly received between the jaws 36 and 31 and threading axially into this barrel 39 is a clamping screw 48.

, When the detachable terminal 38 is employed the pigtail I1 is directly secured and held to an end of the barrel 39 of the terminal 38 by the clamping screw 40, said pigtail being looped about a clamping screw 40 and a lug 28' extending outwardly from the end of the barrel 39. As herein disclosed the barrel 39 is provided along its periphery with the outstanding ribs 4| to fit within the recesses 42 provided in the jaws 36 and 31 whereby the applied terminal 38 is prevented from having swinging movement when held between the jaws 36 and 31.

Upon blowing of the fuse I2 the arm I9 will be released and the spring 3| will instantaneously force the arm I9 downwardly and which movement will open the jaws 36 and 31 allowing the terminal 38 to drop. Before the terminal 38 is released the swinging arm I9 will start to throw out the separated pigtail I1 and, of course, as the terminal 38 is released and falls it will completely carry away the separated portion of the pigtail I1 and will further assure the line L' connected to the terminal 38 being carried completely out of any danger zone.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a fuse cartridge constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it maybe assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

'Ifclaim:

l. A fuse device comprising a tube of a material non-conductive of electricity, a connector carried by one end portion of the tube, a conductor member carried by and extending laterally from the opposite end portion of the tube, an arm, means for pivotally connecting the arm to the outer portion of the member, said arm when in one position terminating in close proximity to the adjacent end of the tube, a fuse element extending through the tube normally holding the arm in said position, and means within the conductor member and contacting the arm for swinging the arm upon breaking of the fuse element.

' 2. A fuse device comprising a tube of a material non-conductive of electricity, a connector carried by one end portion of the tube, a conductor member carried by and extending laterally from the opposite end portion of the tube, an arm, means for pivotally connecting the arm to the outer portion of the member, said arm when in one position terminating in close proximity to the adjacent end of the tube, a fuse element extending through the tube normally holding the arm in said position, and means for swinging the arm upon breaking of the fuse element, said conductor member at its outer end portion and a swinging arm at its pivoted end portion having coacting jaws for releasably holding a conductor terminal when the arm is in its first named position.

3. A fuse device comprising a tube of a material non-conductive of electricity, a connector carried by one end portion of the tube, a conductor member carried by and extending laterally from the opposite end portion of the tube, an arm, means for pivotally connecting the arm to the outer portion of the member, said arm when in one position terminating in close proximity to the adjacent end of the tube, a fuse element extending through the tube normally hold the arm in said position, and means for swinging the arm upon breaking of the fuse element, said conductor member at its outer end portion and swinging arm at its pivoted end portion having coacting jaws for releasably holding a conductor terminal when the arm is in its first named position, said jaws having means for coacting with the applied terminal to hold such terminal against swinging movement independently of the jaws when the terminal is held therebetween.

4. A fuse device comprising a tube of a material non-conductive of electricity, a connector carried by one end portion of the tube, a conductor member carried by and extending from the opposite end portion of the tube, said conductor member being tubular and having its outer extremity formed to provide spaced side webs, an arm having an end portion extending between the webs, means coacting with the webs and said end portion of the arm for holding the arm for swinging movement, said arm adjacent to its pivotal mounting having an arcuate peripheral portion, means within the tubular arm contacting with said arcuate peripheral portion of the arm for swinging the arm in afdirection away from the tube, said arm being of a length to terminate in close proximity to the adjacent end of the tube when said arm is in its raised position, and a fuse element operatively engaged with the connector and with the connecting member, said fuse ele-, ment being disposed through the tube and engageable with the arm to hold the same in its raised position,

5. A fuse device comprising a tube of a material non-conductive of electricity, a connector carried by one end portion of the tube, a conductor member carried by and extending from the opposite end portion of the tube, said conductor member being tubular and having its outer extremity formed to provide spaced side webs, an arm having an end portion extending betwen the webs, means coacting with the webs and said end portion of the arm for holding the arm for swinging movement, said arm adjacent to its pivotal mounting having an arcuate peripheral portion, means within the tubular arm contacting with said arcuate peripheral portion of the arm for swingin the arm in a direction away from the tube, said arm being of a length to terminate in close proximity to the adjacent end of the tube when said arm is in its raised position, and a fuse element operatively engaged with the connector and with the connecting member, said fuse element being disposed through the tube and engageable with the arm to hold the same in its raised position, the webs being formed to provide a jaw, the pivoted end portion of the arm being also formed to provide ajaw movable toward or from the jaw of the webs upon swinging of the arm, said jaws when in closed position releasably holding a conductor terminal.

6. A fuse device comprising a tube of a material non-conductive of electricity, a connector carried by one end portion of the tube, a conductor member carried by and extending from the opposite end portion of the tube, said conductor member being tubular and having its outer extremit formed to provide spaced side webs, an arm having an end portion extending between the webs, means coacting with the webs and said end portion of the arm for holding the arm for swinging movement, said arm adjacent to its pivotal mounting having an arcuate peripheral portion, means within the tubular arm contacting with said arcuate peripheral portion of the arm for swinging the arm in a direction away from the tube, said arm being of a length to terminate in close proximity to the adjacent end of the tube when said arm is in its raised position, and a fuse element being disposed through the tube and engageable with the arm to hold the same in its raised position, the upper portions of the webs being connected by an interposed septum, the pivoted end portion of the arm being provided with a stop shoulder for contact with said septum to limit the extent of outward movement of the arm.

'7. In a fuse cartridge of the fuse throw-out type, the combination of a hollow tubular member of insulating material having a metallic fitting at one end provided with means for securing one end of a fuse link, with a fuse link throw-out mechanism carried by the other end of said insulating tube, comprising a metal member having means for attachment to said insulating tube and having a laterally extending arm, said arm ivotally supporting a throw-out lever, and said arm and lever bein proportioned in length to locate the free end of the throw-out lever adjacent the end of said insulatin tube, means carried by the free end of said throw-out lever for holding a fuse link in engagement with the lever when the link is tensioned, means for securing the end or a fuse link to the throw-out lever mechanism, spring means acting between said lever and arm for biasing said lever in a direction to tension the fuse link in said tube, and stop means carried by said arm and lever for limiting the outward pivotal movement of said lever to a position extending longitudinally of said tube away from said metallic fitting to prevent said lever from whipping the end of a fuse link backward against said fitting.

8. In a fuse cartridge of the fuse throw-out type, the combination of a hollow tubular member of insulating material having a metallic fitting at one end provided with means for securingone end of a fuse link, with a fuse link throwout mechanism carried by the other end of said insulating tube, comprising a metal member having means for attachment to said insulating tube and having a laterally extending arm, said arm pivotally supporting a throw-out lever, and said arm and lever being proportioned in length to locate the free end of the throw-out lever adjacent the end of said insulating tube, means carried by the free end of said throw-out lever for holding a fuse link in engagement with the lever when the link is tensioned, means for securing the end of a fuse link to the throw-out lever mechanism, spring means acting between said lever and arm for biasing said lever in a direction to tension the fuse link in said tube, said arm being provided with a housing for said spring and with parallel flanges joined at their edges to house the pivotal mounting of said lever against ice formations.

9. In a fuse link throwout device for expulsion fuse cartridges, a supporting member adapted for attachment to a fuse cartridge, a throwout lever pivotally mounted on said member and having a link-tensioning position, spring means coacting between said member and lever to move said lever from said link-tensioning position, and stop means on said lever engageable with said member and defining such a maximum limit of movement of said lever from said link-tensioning position that the lever stops when extending away from that end of the fuse cartridge which is opposite to the location of the supporting member on the cartridge.

10. In a fuse link throwout device for expulsion fuse cartridges, a supporting member adapted for attachment to a fuse cartridge, a throwout lever pivotally mounted on said member and having a link-tensioning position, spring means coacting between said member and lever to move said lever from said link-tensioning position, stop means on said lever engageable with said member and defining a maximum limit of movement of said lever from said link-tensioning position, and a protecting hood and apron substantially enclosing said spring means and pivotal mounting.

11. A fuse device comprising an insulating tube, contact means carried by one end portion of said tube, a conductor member carried by and extending laterally from the opposite end portion of said tube, said conductorhaving a recessed portion, a tensioning lever pivotally mounted on said member and when in one position terminating in close proximity to said opposite end portion of said tube, a fuse link extending from said opposite end and normally holding said lever in said position, and means within said recessed portion biasing said lever for movement away from said opposite end portion upon rupture of said fuse link, said member and lever having coacting laws extending bore, said arm having at its free end a pivotally mounted lever for engaging a fuse in said tube to efiect a withdrawal of the fuse on rupture, and spring means mounted in said bore and acting against a part of said arm for biasing to pivot toward such a position that the fuseengaged by said arm will be Withdrawn from said tube. H

l3.-A fuse device comprising a metal member having a collar for attachment to an insulating .tube and having a laterally projecting arm carried by said collar and provided with a longitudinally extending bore, said arm having at its free end a pivotally mounted lever for engaging a fuse in said tube to elfect a withdrawal of the fuse on rupture, and spring means mounted in said bore and acting against apart of said arm for biasing to pivot toward such a position that the fuse en- 'gaged'by said arm will be withdrawn from said tube, and a metal ball in. said bore and interposed between said spring and said arm.

14. A fuse device comprising a metal member having a collar for attachment to an insulating tube and having a laterally projecting arm carried by said collar and provided with a longitudinally extending bore, said arm having at its free end a pivotally mounted lever for engaging a fuse in said tube to effect a withdrawal of the fuse on rupture, and spring means mounted in said bore and acting against a part of said arm for biasing to pivot toward such a position that the fuse engaged by said arm will be withdrawn from said tube, and a metal ball in said bore and interposed between said spring and said arm, said arm being provided with a cam-shaped surface for engagement with said ball to provide said arm with a predetermined movement in response to said spring,

.15. In a fuse device, a metal member provided with a collar adapted to be attached to an insulating tube, said collar having a laterally projecting arm, spring means housed in said arm and engaging a lever pivotally mounted on said arm, said lever and arm having cooperating jaws for engaging a connector member, and said lever havingv a projecting portion adapted to engage a fuse carried by said tube, whereby the rupture of the fuse permits the spring to move the lever pivotally to effect a disengagement of the jaws with said connector member to release the connector member.

16. A fuse device comprising an insulating tube, contactmeans carried by one end portion of said tube, a conductor member carried by and extending from the opposite end portion of said tube, saidconductor being tubular and having its outer-extremity recessed to provide spaced side webs, atensioning lever pivotally mounted on said conductor member and extending between the webs, said tensioning lever adjacent to its pivotal mounting having an arcuate peripheral portion, .a fuse link extending from said opposite end and normally holding said lever in said position, and means Within said member contacting-with said arcuate peripheral portion of said lever;and biasing said lever for movement away from said opposite end portion upon rupture of said link.

i 17. A fuse device comprising an insulating tube, contact means carried by one end portion of said tube, a conductor member carried by and extending from the opposite end portion of said tube, said conductor being tubular and having its outer extremity recessed to provide spaced side webs, a tensioning lever pivotally mounted on said. conductor member and extending. between the webs, said tensioning lever adjacentto its pivotal mounting having an arcuate peripheral portion,'a fuse link operatively engaged with said contact means and with said conductor member, said link extending from said opposite end and normally holding said lever in said position, and means within said member contacting with said arcuate peripheral portion of said lever and biasing said lever for movement away from said opposite end portion upon rupture of said link.

18. A fuse device comprising an insulating tube, contact means carried by one end portion of said tube, a conductor member carried by and extending from the opposite end portion of said tube, said conductor being tubular and having its outer extremity recessed to provide spaced side webs, a tensioning lever pivotally mounted on said conductor memberand extending between the webs, said tensioning lever adjacent to its pivotal mounting having an arcuate peripheral portion, a fuse link operatively engaged with said contact means and with said conductor member, said link extending from said opposite end and normally holding said lever in said position, and means within said member contacting with said arcuate peripheral portion of said lever and biasing said lever for movement away from said opposite end portion upon rupture of said link, said member and lever having coacting jaws for releasably holding the extended portion of said fuse link when the lever is in said position.

19. A fuse device comprising an insulating tube, contact means carried by one end portion of said tube, a conductor member carried by and extending from the opposite end portion of said tube, said conductor being tubular and having its outer extremity recessed to provide spaced side webs, a tensioning lever pivotally mounted on said conductor member and extending between the webs, said tensioning lever ad- J'acent to its pivotal mounting having an arcuate peripheral portion, a fuse link operatively engaged with said contact means and with said conductor member, said link extending from said opposite end and normally holding said lever in said position, and means within said member contacting with said arcuate peripheral portion of said lever and biasing said lever for movement away from said opposite end portion upon rupture of said link, said member and lever lraving coacting jaws for releasably holding the extended portion of said fuse link when the lever is in said position, the upper portion of the webs being connected by an interposed septum, and stop means on said lever engageable with said septum in defining a maximum limit of movement of said lever from said link tensioning position.

HENRY W. BODENDIECK. 

